ED moves Delhi HC against trial court’s ruling in National Herald case
In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the trial court order that declined to take cognisance of the money laundering complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald case. The ED’s move comes after the trial court’s ruling, which was seen as a major setback for the agency’s investigation into the alleged money laundering and financial irregularities in the National Herald case.
The National Herald case has been a long-standing controversy, with allegations that assets worth over ₹2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) were wrongfully taken over. The ED had filed a complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other Congress leaders, alleging that they had indulged in money laundering and financial irregularities in the acquisition of AJL’s assets. However, the trial court had declined to take cognisance of the ED’s complaint, citing lack of evidence and jurisdictional issues.
The ED’s decision to approach the Delhi High Court is seen as an attempt to revive the case and get a favourable ruling. The agency has argued that the trial court’s order was erroneous and that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution. The ED has also alleged that the trial court had failed to consider the evidence and documents submitted by the agency, which allegedly showed a clear trail of money laundering and financial irregularities.
The National Herald case has its roots in the 1930s, when Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, founded the National Herald newspaper. The newspaper was published by AJL, which was a company set up by Nehru and other Congress leaders. Over the years, AJL acquired significant assets, including prime real estate in Delhi and other parts of the country.
However, in 2008, AJL was on the verge of closure due to financial difficulties. It was then that the Congress party, led by Sonia Gandhi, stepped in to bail out the company. The Congress party allocated ₹90 crore to AJL, which was used to pay off the company’s debts. However, the ED alleges that this allocation was not a loan, but a grant, and that the Congress party had effectively taken over AJL’s assets worth over ₹2,000 crore.
The ED’s investigation into the National Herald case has been ongoing for several years, with the agency alleging that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other Congress leaders had indulged in money laundering and financial irregularities. The agency has also alleged that the Congress leaders had used AJL’s assets for personal gain, including acquiring prime real estate in Delhi and other parts of the country.
The trial court’s ruling had come as a major relief for the Congress leaders, who had been facing intense scrutiny and criticism over the National Herald case. However, the ED’s decision to approach the Delhi High Court has once again brought the case into the spotlight, with the agency determined to prove that the Congress leaders had indulged in financial irregularities and money laundering.
The Delhi High Court’s ruling on the ED’s appeal is expected to be a significant development in the National Herald case. If the court rules in favour of the ED, it could lead to the prosecution of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other Congress leaders, which could have major implications for the Congress party and Indian politics. On the other hand, if the court upholds the trial court’s ruling, it could be seen as a major setback for the ED’s investigation and a vindication of the Congress leaders.
In conclusion, the ED’s decision to approach the Delhi High Court against the trial court’s ruling in the National Herald case is a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The case has been a long-standing controversy, with allegations of money laundering and financial irregularities against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. The Delhi High Court’s ruling on the ED’s appeal is expected to be a major development in the case, with significant implications for the Congress party and Indian politics.
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